BOZEMAN - With cherry red smoke billowing two feet over his head, John Pfister, Montana State University Extension agent in Musselshell County, was unsure whether the defensible space he had created would hold back the intense wildfire threatening his home. It did.

On Thursday, Aug. 2, Pfister and MSU Extension forester Peter Kolb will conduct a webinar to share tips for minimizing potential wildfire damage and assessing damage, which can occur even when a fire gets close to your property. Kolb also dealt personally with wildfire on his property.

The webinar, beginning at 9:30 a.m., is the first in a comprehensive series being presented over the next several weeks by Montana State University Extension. The weekly series will address critical issues for families, farm and ranch operations and organizations facing wildfire and drought challenges.

To participate in the live presentation, visit http://www.msuextensionconnect.org/fire at 9:30 a.m. on Thursday, Aug. 2. Select "Enter as Guest," type your full name in the text box, and click "Enter Room." Audio will be broadcast through your computer speakers. The interactive webinar will last 30 minutes, followed by time for questions.

The second session, "Drought Management Strategies for Beef Cattle Producers," will take place Thursday, Aug. 9 at 9:30 a.m. and will feature MSU Extension beef specialist, Rachel Endecott. Subsequent sessions on Thursday mornings at 9:30 a.m. will cover topics ranging from the financial implications of drought management to range recovery and invasive plant/noxious weed management.

The MSU Extension Fire and Drought Webinar Series is free and open to the public. The series will be archived and remain available via MSU Extension's Fire and Drought Resources web page,http://www.msuextension.org/wildfire/.